Our client is one of the leading architecture, interior design, engineering, and urban planning firms in the world, with a reputation for design excellence and a portfolio that includes some of the most important architecture of the 20th and 21st centuries. Since its inception, our client has been a leader in the research and development of innovative technologies, processes, and ideas, many of which have had a lasting impact on the built environment. Our client has been honored with more than 1,700 awards. Our client maintains offices in Chicago, New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., London, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Abu Dhabi, and Mumbai.

The Role

The Financial Controller is to have responsibility for all financial matters in the Shanghai office, and participate as a business leader and advisor to the Partners. The financial controlled will lead other members of the finance team and build successful relationships with the design project teams.

Management accounting - Ensure that all transactions are appropriately posted and that all Billing invoices are raised promptly, including expenses and consultants; take full responsibility for the monthly Office financials on both a cash and accrual basis; deliver actual results in line with Firmwide deadlines.

Project accounting - Ensure that all projects are being appropriately accounted for and that all projects have an up to date project plan of resourcing and costs in the “Vision” resource management software package.

Work closely with the Managing Partners and project managers to both provide and interpret project information and guide their decision making with sound financial advice.

Drive process improvement in the use of Vision and the accounting system to enhance management information.

Forecasting / Budgeting - Prepare a full budget / reforecast to the end of the Financial Year for the office which includes a full re-assessment of billings, collections of fee revenue and staffing levels based on information from the project managers and Managing Partners; ensure “Vision” reflects the current billing expectations against each project.

Bid for new work - Provide financial leadership to the bid teams when competing for new work. Advise on potential profitability based on fee structures proposed and where possible ensure that appropriate project plans have been prepared to support fee quotes.

Special Projects - Assist in various special projects from time to time.

Client Invoicing - Oversee and as appropriate have a hands-on involvement to ensure all invoices are issued in a timely manner; provide all supporting documentation, particularly for reimbursable expense invoices; obtain project manager approval for each invoice; maintain the invoice log of invoices sent; deal with client questions about invoicing, referring them to the project manager if appropriate.

Receivables - Take responsibility for receivable collection alongside the project managers who have ownership of the outstanding amounts on the projects they are responsible for; ensure non-project related including certain inter-office debts are being collected.

Banking- Ensure any banking software used maximizes processing efficiency and maintains appropriate safeguards over the company’s assets; ensure that all Bank accounts are reconciled on a routine and timely basis.